HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s jobless rate is up slightly but remains better than the national figure.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said today the seasonally adjusted rate last month was 5.7 percent, up one tenth of a percentage point from June. The U.S. rate is currently 6.2 percent.

The civilian labor force fell by 32,000, and unemployment rose by 4,000, the first increase in nearly two years.

The agency says private industry lost 3,400 jobs but hiring in the public sector rose for the sixth straight month.

The biggest job gains are in construction.

One year ago, the statewide unemployment rate was 7.5 percent.